Does the amount of water you should drink change depending on the person?
Fluid needs can vary considerably between individuals. Factors such as current diet, climate, activity levels and even how much muscle a person carries can influence fluid needs. The standard recommendation for fluid intake is 1 millilitre per calorie of food consumed per day or 2.5 litres a day, this includes fluid from fruit, beverages, and other food. It seems that somewhere along the way, probably coinciding with the bottled water boom we have mistakenly presumed that the 2 litres a day rule applies to water and not total fluid intake. This highlights the fact that individual fluid needs can vary among us all.
Before you toss the water bottle aside take note, water is by far our most important nutrient. We can go for about a month without food but try going without water and you'll be dead within seven to ten days. Water makes up around 60 percent of the human body, it plays a vital role in helping the body to function and stay healthy. A lack of water, even mild dehydration can drain your energy and make you feel tired. If you are active or living in a hot or dry climate you will need to drink more.
So how much do we need for good health?
The eight-glass rule is still a good guide, some people may need to drink more for health conditions or to replace the sweat losses from exercise. You can safely include fluid from other beverages and food throughout the day, green tea and coffee still count as part of your fluid intake. You know you are drinking enough water if you are rarely thirsty, produce more than 1.4 litres of urine a day and your urine is pale and odourless. By all means use the eight-glass rule as a guideline, drink more if you are active but apparently there's no need to over do it.